Why is my AC leaking water inside?
A puddle around the indoor unit or a new ceiling stain needs attention. Your AC normally makes water as it cools, but that water should drain away. A blocked drain, damaged pan, failed pump or melting ice can send it into your home instead.
What should you do first?
- Turn the system off at the thermostat. Continuing to run a leaking AC can make the water damage worse.
- Protect the area. Move nearby belongings if you can do so safely. Stay away from wet electrical equipment and keep clear of a sagging or bulging ceiling.
- Arrange service. Tell the technician where you see water and whether it’s reaching a ceiling or electrical equipment. Don’t open equipment panels to investigate.
If reaching the thermostat would mean entering an unsafe area, keep clear and call for help.
Where is the water coming from?
As warm air passes over the cold indoor coil, moisture collects in a drain pan. A condensate line carries it away. Some systems also use a small pump.
Drainage problems can interrupt that path in several ways:
- A blocked line lets water back up.
- A loose or damaged drain connection lets water escape.
- A cracked or corroded pan leaks before the water reaches the drain.
- A failed condensate pump can leave water with nowhere to go.
A ceiling stain alone doesn’t prove the AC caused it. Plumbing and roof leaks can look similar, so tracing the source matters.
Did you notice ice or weak airflow?
Mention any weak airflow, poor cooling or ice on a refrigerant line when you call. A frozen indoor coil can release water as it thaws, including after the system has been turned off.
Restricted airflow and refrigerant problems can both cause freezing. Leave the system off and let a technician find the cause. Don’t chip the ice or apply heat to it. Our air filter guide explains how the filter and airflow work together.
Why did the AC stop when the leak started?
A condensate safety switch may have shut the system down because water backed up. Don’t bypass it or keep trying to restart the AC; the drainage problem still needs to be addressed.
Water in the backup pan beneath attic equipment also needs attention. If you don’t know which pipe is the drain or where it leads, leave drain clearing to the technician.
What should a repair actually fix?
An AC repair visit should establish where the water came from and why it escaped. Depending on the findings, the work may involve the drain, pan, pump, airflow or refrigerant system.
Ask what failed and how the repair was checked afterward, including drainage and any safety switches. Photos and a note about when the leak began can help. A water leak alone doesn’t mean you need a new system; the repair-or-replace decision depends on the actual failure and the equipment’s condition.
How can you reduce the chance of another leak?
Keep up with filter changes and keep return grilles clear. Our Comfort Club cooling tune-up includes checking accessible drainage and overflow protection, plus treating the primary pan and drain line to help limit buildup. Clearing an existing clog is separate work.
For a leak in Fort Mill and surrounding areas, request service. If water is actively leaking, call Haven during our daily 8 a.m.–8 p.m. hours. Online requests aren’t monitored continuously.